Six Strings & A Hit: 1975 Trivia Quiz

Answer: Bruce Springsteen

Bruce Springsteen envisioned "Born to Run" as a larger-than-life rock-and-roll anthem, and guitarists Ernest Carter and Steven Van Zandt helped bring that vision to reality. Their guitar work contributed to the song's famous "wall of sound" production.

Springsteen spent months perfecting the song in the studio because he believed it represented his best chance at commercial success.

Answer: Joe Perry

"Sweet Emotion" helped establish Aerosmith as one of America's premier rock bands. Joe Perry's guitar work provided the perfect balance of attitude and melody.

The song's distinctive opening features unusual percussion effects, including sounds created with a sugar packet and a vibraslap, immediately grabbing listeners' attention.

The track showcased Perry's gift for creating memorable guitar parts that served the song rather than overpowering it. His playing remains a major influence on countless rock guitarists.

Answer: Jimmy Page

Few songs better demonstrate Jimmy Page's ability to think beyond traditional rock music than "Kashmir." Inspired by travels through North Africa and the Middle East, the song combined heavy guitar riffs with exotic musical influences to create something entirely unique.

Page intentionally avoided a conventional guitar solo, focusing instead on atmosphere, texture, and power. The result became one of Led Zeppelin's most ambitious and enduring recordings.

Fun fact: Of all the Led Zeppelin songs, both Robert Plant and Jimmy Page consider "Kashmir" one of the band's greatest achievements, citing its Moroccan-inspired rhythm and orchestral complexity.

Answer: Brian May

Queen had already built a reputation for ambitious recordings, but "Bohemian Rhapsody" pushed those ambitions to an entirely new level. Guitarist Brian May played a critical role in bringing Freddie Mercury's vision to life, weaving melodic guitar lines throughout the song's many dramatic shifts.

Rather than relying on a traditional rock solo, May used his guitar almost like another vocalist, crafting parts that complemented Mercury's melodies and the song's elaborate vocal harmonies. His ability to blend technical precision with emotion helped make the recording one of the most celebrated songs in rock history.

Fun fact: Record executives believed the song was too long for radio, yet it went on to become one of the most successful singles ever released.

Answer: Angus Young

AC/DC built their reputation on simple, powerful rock and roll, and "T.N.T." became one of the earliest examples of their formula. Angus Young's explosive guitar riffs helped turn the song into a hard-rock anthem.

His energetic playing style and unmistakable stage presence quickly made him one of rock's most recognizable guitarists. The song remains a fan favorite decades after its release.

Fun fact: AC/DC's "T.N.T." album was an Australia-only release in December 1975, never officially released in the United States. The studio took seven of the original nine tracks on "T.N.T." and combined them with two tracks from the band's Australia-only debut album, "High Voltage", and released them world wide on a modified version of "High Voltage" in May 1976.

Answer: Manny Charlton

Nazareth guitarist Manny Charlton created one of the most recognizable hard-rock riffs of the 1970s with "Hair of the Dog." The song's swaggering groove and aggressive guitar work helped establish the band as a force in hard rock.

Charlton's playing combined blues influences with a heavier edge, creating a sound that appealed to both rock and metal audiences.

The phrase "hair of the dog" comes from an old expression suggesting that a hangover could be cured with another drink.

Answer: Dick Wagner

Alice Cooper always kept an eye out for the best musicians in the business. Dick Wagner was one of rock's most respected session guitarists and songwriters, and his contributions to Alice Cooper's recordings were substantial. On "Only Women Bleed," Wagner's tasteful guitar work adds depth and emotion to one of Cooper's most successful songs.

His ability to serve the song rather than dominate it made him a favorite collaborator among many major artists.

Dick Wagner also worked extensively with artists including Lou Reed, Peter Gabriel, and Aerosmith.

Answer: Phil Manzanera

Roxy Music guitarist Phil Manzanera had a gift for creating unusual textures and memorable hooks. On "Love Is the Drug," he blended art-rock sophistication with danceable rhythms, helping create one of the band's biggest hits.

His inventive guitar work added personality without overwhelming the song's infectious groove. The track remains one of the most accessible entries in Roxy Music's catalog.

The song became Roxy Music's highest-charting U.S. single during the band's original run.

Answer: John Hall

Orleans guitarist John Hall helped create one of the most enduring soft-rock hits of the 1970s. His tasteful guitar work supports the song's uplifting message while providing subtle melodic flourishes throughout.

The track became a wedding favorite and remains one of the most recognizable songs of the decade. Hall's understated playing is a perfect example of putting the song first.

Fun fact: John Hall later left music and served as a member of the United States House of Representatives.

Answer: Hughie Thomasson and Billy Jones

Few songs are more beloved by guitar enthusiasts than "Green Grass and High Tides." The Outlaws turned the track into an epic showcase for their twin-lead guitar approach, culminating in one of the most celebrated guitar finales of the decade.

The song became a concert centerpiece and remains a favorite among players who appreciate extended guitar improvisation.

Fun fact: "Green Grass and High Tides" was featured in the original "Rock Band" (2007) game, and it became one of the game's most famous and feared guitar songs. It was included on the disc soundtrack and was ranked as one of the most difficult guitar tracks in the game because of its length and extended twin-guitar solos.

Answer: Billy Gibbons

Sometimes a great rock song is built on a single unforgettable riff. Billy Gibbons proved exactly that with "Tush," a blues-rock powerhouse driven by his gritty guitar tone and economical playing style.

Gibbons had a knack for making simple guitar parts sound larger than life.

"Tush" was ZZ Top's first song to reach the Billboard Top 20, helping introduce the Texas trio to a national audience. The song remains one of ZZ Top's most enduring classics.

Answer: Vince Gill

Long before becoming one of country music's biggest stars, Vince Gill was making a name for himself as a guitarist and vocalist with Pure Prairie League. His contributions to "Amie" helped turn the song into a country-rock classic.

Gill's melodic guitar work and smooth vocals gave the recording a warmth that continues to resonate with listeners.

Answer: Mark Farner

Grand Funk Railroad transformed this rhythm-and-blues song into a rock-radio staple. Mark Farner's guitar work helped give the track its energy while retaining the spirit of the original composition.

The recording became one of the band's signature songs and remains a favorite among classic-rock audiences.

The song was originally recorded by soul artist Soul Brothers Six nearly a decade before Grand Funk's version.

Answer: Mick Ralphs

Bad Company built its success on strong songwriting and tasteful musicianship, and guitarist Mick Ralphs was central to that formula. On "Feel Like Makin' Love," he balanced acoustic passages with powerful electric guitar moments to create one of the band's biggest hits.

Ralphs understood how to build tension and release within a song, helping make the track both intimate and powerful.

Fun fact: Mick Ralphs originally began writing the song while still a member of Mott the Hoople.

Answer: Howard Scott

Recorded by War in 1975, "Low Rider" was built around one of the most recognizable grooves of the 1970s. The track showcased guitarist Howard Scott's ability to make simple ideas unforgettable. His rhythmic guitar work helped create a song that remains instantly recognizable from its opening notes.

Rather than relying on flashy solos, Scott focused on feel, timing, and groove. That approach became a defining element of War's unique sound.

The song celebrates lowrider car culture, which originated in Mexican-American communities throughout the American Southwest.

Answer: Joe Perry

Joe Perry stumbled upon the riff for "Walk This Way" during a soundcheck, never imagining it would become one of rock's most famous guitar hooks. Once Steven Tyler heard it, the band quickly built an entire song around the idea.

Perry's combination of swagger, groove, and blues influences helped create a track that would become one of Aerosmith's signature songs. The riff remains instantly recognizable to generations of listeners.

More than a decade later, the song found a second life when Aerosmith collaborated with Run-DMC on a groundbreaking remake.

Answer: Jeff Lynne

Jeff Lynne had a remarkable ability to combine pop hooks, orchestral arrangements, and rock guitar into a seamless package. On "Evil Woman," he delivered exactly that formula, creating one of Electric Light Orchestra's most enduring songs.

The guitar work supports the arrangement rather than dominating it, demonstrating Lynne's talent for serving the song first. His production style helped define ELO's sound throughout the decade.

Fun fact: The song was reportedly written quickly after Lynne realized the band needed one more track to complete the album.

Answer: Dan Ferguson

Although Dan Ferguson never became a household name, millions of people have heard his guitar playing. Best known for his work on the hit "Theme from The Rockford Files," Ferguson built a successful career as one of Los Angeles' most respected session musicians. Beginning in the late 1960s, he contributed guitar, arranging, and production work to countless television, film, and recording projects.

Ferguson's guitar work is featured on TV themes for "Barney Miller", "Magnum, P.I.", "The A-Team", "Charlie's Angels", "The Greatest American Hero", and "The White Shadow".

His versatility also made him a sought-after studio musician, leading to collaborations with artists including Ray Charles, Three Dog Night, Boz Scaggs, The Commodores, Barry White, Ben E. King, and Joan Baez.

Fun fact: The theme won a Grammy Award for Best Instrumental Arrangement and became one of the few television instrumentals ever to crack the Billboard Top Ten singles chart.

Answer: Ritchie Blackmore

After leaving Deep Purple, Ritchie Blackmore formed Rainbow and immediately established the band's identity with "Man on the Silver Mountain." The song combined powerful riffs, fantasy-inspired lyrics, and Blackmore's unmistakable guitar style.

His blend of blues roots and classical influences helped create a sound that would inspire generations of hard-rock and metal guitarists.

Fun fact: The song was Rainbow's debut single and introduced legend Ronnie James Dio (formerly of Elf) to many rock fans around the world. Dio went on to replace Ozzy Osbourne in Black Sabbath.

Answer: Carlos Alomar

Few guitar riffs are as instantly recognizable as the one Carlos Alomar created for David Bowie's "Fame." Drawing on funk influences, Alomar built the song around a tight, rhythmic guitar pattern that became the foundation of the entire recording.

His innovative playing helped Bowie explore new musical territory while creating one of the most successful songs of his career. The track remains a landmark fusion of rock, funk, and soul.

Fun fact: "Fame" became David Bowie's first number one hit in the United States.